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Tragic Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland lost his mother in horrific circumstances 19 months before his suicide at the age of 24.
The Daily Mail can reveal that Wendy Kneeland, 45, was killed in February last year by an accidental drug overdose at her home in Buckeye, Arizona.
A medical examiner found oxycodone and morphine in her system, alongside anticonvulsant gabapentin, antidepressant duloxetine and muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine.
Further details on why Wendy had so many drugs in her system have not emerged. Marshawn was very close to his mother and wore some of her ashes in a necklace after her death.
It is still unclear what prompted him to shoot himself dead after leading Texas State troopers on a car chase late Wednesday night.
Marshawn, who lived in Plano, spoke at his mother's funeral service in March last year and expressed his heartbreak at losing her.
He told the congregation in Wyoming, Michigan: 'It's crazy, growing up she was always there for me, always going to all my games, always there for me.
'It's definitely tough, you just never expect something like this. She would always help me with just life in general.
Marshawn Kneeland and his mother Wendy are seen here in a picture he shared to his Instagram account in May 2019. She died of an accidental drug overdose in early 2024
Marshawn was in the midst of his second season when he shot himself dead on Wednesday. He wore a necklace containing some of his mother's ashes around his neck after her death
'She was basically there for me for everything. If I could go back in time I would have definitely found a way for me to go see her, or her to come see me.
'It tore me apart, I can still feel her just training I can feel her presence there with me and I still do. I know she's still watching over me. I try to be strong as much as I can.'
Marshawn, a rising star who was in the midst of his second season with the NFL, has left his family 'shattered' by killing himself, his agent Jonathan Perzley said.
But there were other subtle signs as to the sports star's mental anguish.
He lived a very reclusive life while at college, former roommate Patrick Grange told the Daily Mail on Thursday.
Grange, who studied alongside Marshawn at Western Michigan University, said: 'He essentially only did a few things.
'He hung out with his girlfriend, he played video games, he watched films and played football. That's what he did, like he was not into anything else.
'He didn't party, he didn't go out. Like he was strictly about his family and about football.'
Marshawn is pictured with girlfriend Catalina Mancera, whom he texted to say goodbye shortly before taking his own life
He was living in this apartment building in Plano, Texas, at the time of his death
Grange hailed his late friend as a 'selfless human being, a great team leader and mentor' who let him live with him for two months without charging him a dollar in rent.
He also highlighted Marshawn's love of 'video games and anime' [Japanese animation], with one of the football star's tattoos offering further potential insight into a troubled soul.
Marshawn had an ink of an anime character called Shigeo Kagewama, nicknamed Mob, from the Japanese cartoon series Mob Psycho 100.
The show tells the story of the titular character's struggle to find happiness.
Mob is described as a 'powerful psychic who represses his emotions to keep his powers from getting out of control.'
Over the course of the series, he is eventually able to come to terms with the emotions that frequently roil him and grow as a person.
Sadly, Marshawn was never able to find such self-acceptance.
The tragic sequence of events before his suicide began on Wednesday evening when he texted his 22-year-old girlfriend Catalina Mancera to say he was planning to 'end it all.'
Marshawn was a fan of Japanese anime series Mob Psycho 100, which tells the story of a troubled man who struggles with his emotions
He had an image of main character Shigeo Kagewama inked on his arm
Marshawn is pictured in 2023 while playing for the Western Michigan Broncos. A former roommate told the Daily Mail the athlete was a quiet, generous and kind man who was well-liked by everyone who knew him
During a subsequent 911 call, his partner told officers that Marshawn had suffered from mental health issues and that he was armed.
Dispatchers were also heard saying that the NFL itself had contacted the Plano Police Department saying that the family of one of its players was concerned for his welfare. 'The subject is texting his family goodbye,' the operator said.
Troopers tried to stop Marshawn for a traffic violation, but he refused to pull over.
Marshawn managed to get away from his pursuers. His car was later found in a ditch, with his body nearby.
His family released an emotional statement following the news, remembering him as a 'devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.'
'We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief,' they said.
'As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field - as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend.
'He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love. His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.
'We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community.'
For help and support contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988
